Inflating watercraft support device

ABSTRACT

An inflatable watercraft support device for supporting a watercraft is provided. The support device comprises a first support bladder having a first end and a second end and a second support bladder having a first end and a second end. A connecting mechanism connects the first end of the first support bladder to the first end of the second support bladder.

[0001] The present application is a continuation and claims priority ofpending provisional patent application Serial No. 60/440,520, filed onJan. 16, 2003, entitled “Inflating Watercraft Support Device”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to support devices for watercraftand, more particularly, it relates to an inflating support device thatsupports a watercraft upon water, land, ice, and/or snow for mooring,docking, or towing the watercraft. The support device can also be usedwithout a watercraft for rescues of injured persons and/or fortransporting supplies and/or gear upon water, land, ice, and/or snow.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Boating is both a popular pastime and a vital commercial activityin much of the world today. A watercraft, including personal watercraft,is often a substantial investment for the owner and/or operator. Manytimes when a boat operator is in the water, he or she desires totemporarily dock the watercraft on shore or on the water. In the past,boat operators would secure their watercraft to buoys, fixed docks,anchors, ropes, rigid docking devices, etc. These conventional devicesare typically permanently attached structures either in the water or onthe land with limited portability, if any, or these devices are tooheavy and cumbersome for the average boat operator to transport orinstall. Furthermore, when using these types of conventional devices,the watercraft will often remain within the water or directly contactingthe ground thereby compromising the quality or integrity of the hull ofthe watercraft.

[0006] For instance, many shores do not have a fixed dock structure andpossess obstacles and debris which could damage a watercraft when thewatercraft is beached or docked. A boat operator must search and find ashore with little or no debris to dock his or her watercraft. If not,the hull of the watercraft could be damaged or breached by the shoredebris and cause damage to the watercraft, cause the watercraft to takeon water, and/or causing the watercraft to lose its buoyancy. If thewatercraft sinks, a serious condition exists in that loss of life andloss of property often occurs. Any damage to the hull can be expensiveto repair and can impact the appearance and/or operation of thewatercraft.

[0007] The support device of the present invention solves these problemsand others by being both portable and adaptable. The support device ofthe present invention can be easily transported between intended uses.The support device of the present invention is adaptable to all types ofwatercraft, all types of terrains, and all types of conditions, i.e.,tides, wakes, etc.

[0008] The support device of the present invention is easy to maintainand inflate. Once deployed, the present invention will keep the hull ofthe watercraft from contacting the ground on shore when used as anon-shore docking device.

[0009] The primary aspect of the present invention is to provide adeployable support device to keep the watercraft above the ground whendocking or towing the watercraft on a shore, to maintain a watercraft onthe water for towing and docking, to provide a rescue device forremoving injured persons upon ice, water, and/or snow, and to provide asupply vessel for moving supplies on the land, ice, water, and/or snow.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a supportdevice that can be stored on the watercraft or in a vehicle and easilyinflated and deployed. The support device can be deflated and storedwithout difficulty.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide for asupport device that can be easily deflated and removed from under thewatercraft after the watercraft has been reentered the water or at anyother desired time.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a supportdevice that is easy to manufacture, install, and move.

SUMMARY

[0013] The present invention is an inflatable watercraft support devicefor supporting a watercraft on the land or on the water. The supportdevice comprises a first support bladder having a first end and a secondend and a second support bladder having a first end and a second end. Aconnecting mechanism connects the first end of the first support bladderto the first end of the second support bladder.

[0014] In addition, the present invention includes an apparatus fordocking and towing a watercraft on land and water. The apparatuscomprises a first bladder having a first end and a second end and asecond bladder having a first end and a second end. Connecting meansconnect the first end of the first bladder to the first end of thesecond bladder. Sheet material connects the first bladder and the secondbladder wherein the first bladder and the second bladder have asubstantially V-shaped configuration.

[0015] The present invention further includes a method for docking andtowing a watercraft on land and water. The method comprises providing afirst support bladder and a second support bladder, connecting the firstsupport bladder to the second support bladder creating a support device,positioning the support device on the land or water, and maneuvering thewatercraft onto the support device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an inflating watercraftsupport device, constructed in accordance with the present invention,with the support device in an inflated condition;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating the inflating watercraftsupport device of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with the support device in the inflated condition;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the inflating watercraftsupport device of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with the support device in a deflated, rolled condition;

[0019]FIG. 4 is perspective view illustrating the inflating watercraftsupport device of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with a watercraft being supported by the support devicebetween the water and the land;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment ofthe inflating watercraft support device, constructed in accordance withthe present invention, with the support device being in an inflatedcondition;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the inflating watercraftsupport device of FIG. 5, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with the support device being in a deflated, rolledcondition;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the inflating watercraftsupport device of FIG. 5, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with a watercraft entering upon the support device as thewatercraft enters or leaves the water;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the inflating watercraftsupport device of FIG. 5, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with the watercraft being supported by the support devicebetween the water and the land;

[0024]FIG. 9 is another perspective view illustrating the inflatingwatercraft support device of FIG. 5, constructed in accordance with thepresent invention, with the watercraft being supported by the supportdevice between the water and the land;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a top plan view illustrating still another embodimentof the inflating watercraft support device, constructed in accordancewith the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 11 is an elevational side view illustrating the inflatingwatercraft support device of FIG. 10, constructed in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the inflating watercraftsupport device of FIG. 10, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention;

[0028]FIG. 13 is a top plan view illustrating still yet anotherembodiment of the inflating watercraft support device, constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 14 is an elevational side view illustrating the inflatingwatercraft support device, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, with a sand cleat for inhibiting movement of the supportdevice on a shore or beach; and

[0030]FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a sand cleat pocket andan insertable sand cleat, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0031] Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the presentinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of the particular arrangementshown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, theterminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not oflimitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] In general, the present invention is an air bag for marineapplication. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-15, the present invention is aninflating watercraft support device, indicated generally at 10, forsupporting a watercraft 12 on the land 14 (see FIGS. 4 and 9) adjacentthe water 16 or directly upon the water 16. The support device 10 iscompact and storable, in an uninflated condition (see FIGS. 3 and 6).The support device 10 is lightweight and easily movable even after thesupport device 10 has been inflated and can be used for emergencysituations, storage of watercraft, towing or transporting watercraft,repair, support of damaged craft, or for protection of watercraft.

[0033] The support device 10 of the present invention is suited anddesigned for use on any type of watercraft 12. The watercraft 12 can beany type of watercraft including, but not limited to, pleasure boats,commercial ships, military ships, cruise ships, power boats, row boats,canoes, life boats, rafts, pontoon boats, ski boats, jet skis, etc.

[0034] Furthermore, the support device 10 can be used for other usesbesides supporting a watercraft 12 upon the land or the water when nodock or other mooring facility or structure is available. For instance,the support device 10 can be used to tow a watercraft 12 either on theland 14, water 16, ice, snow, etc. The support device 10 can also beused to tow supplies, if desires. Also, the support device 10 isperfectly suited for use in rescue operations on water 16 and ice. Aninjured person can be easily moved onto the support device 10 from thewater 16, the snow, or the ice with minimal compromising of the injuredperson. In fact, a standard emergency rescue backboard can be easilyreceived and secured within the support device 10.

[0035] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the support device 10 of the presentinvention includes a first support bladder 20 having a first side edge22, a second side edge 24, a front edge 26, and a rear edge 28 and asecond support bladder 30 having a first side edge 32, a second sideedge 34, a front edge 36, and a rear edge 38. Preferably, the size andshape of the first support bladder 20 and the second support bladder 30are identical to each other thereby maintaining the watercraft 12 in asubstantially level position upon inflation of the first support bladder20 and the second support bladder 30. It is within the scope of thepresent invention, however, to construct the first support bladder 20and the second support bladder 30 in different and various sizes and/orshapes depending on the desires of the user.

[0036] The first support bladder 20 and the second support bladder 30preferably include a taper from the front edge 26, 36 to the rear edge28, 38. The tapering of the first support bladder 20 and the secondsupport bladder 30 allows a watercraft 12 to more easily dock or moorupon the support device 10 and then to launch again.

[0037] The first support bladder 20 and the second support bladder 30are preferably constructed from a substantially puncture-resistantmaterial which is tough and durable and have sufficient strength tosupport the watercraft 12 either on the water 16, on the land 14, orbetween the water 16 and the land 14. It is within the scope of thepresent invention in all embodiments described herein, however, toconstruct the first support bladder 20 and the second support bladder 30from other materials or to construct the first support bladder 20 andthe second support bladder 30 with an inflatable tube surrounded by thepuncture-resistant material. Single or multiple layers of material canbe used and are within the scope of the present invention.

[0038] Further, the first support bladder 20 and the second supportbladder 30 can have an inner inflatable bladder (not shown) and an outerpuncture-resistant skin covering the inflatable bladder. In fact, thefirst support bladder 20 and the second support bladder 30 can havemultiple inner inflatable bladders covered by an outerpuncture-resistant skin.

[0039] In addition, the first support bladder 20 and the second supportbladder 30 of the support device 10 can have a rough surface or a smoothsurface or both. The texture of the surface of the first support bladder20 and the second support bladder 30 allows the support device 10 tomove easier on the land 14, water 16, ice, snow, etc., or to be moreresistant to moving, depending on the desires of the user.

[0040] The support device 10 further includes a first edge material 40extending around the perimeter of the first support bladder 20 and asecond edge material 42 extending around the perimeter of the secondsupport bladder 30. The first edge material 40 and the second edgematerial 42 are preferably formed with and/or secured to the firstsupport bladder 20 and the second support bladder 30, respectively,during manufacture of the first support bladder 20 and the secondsupport bladder 30, or by stitching, welding, gluing, or other means.

[0041] The first edge material 40 and the second edge material 42 have apair of ear portions 44 formed along the first side edges 22, 32 of thefirst support bladder 20 and the second support bladder 30,respectively. Each ear portion 44 includes an aperture 46 reinforced bya grommet or the like for receiving a tie line 48. A stake 50 can besecured to each tie line 48 to anchor the support device 10 to the land14.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, the stake 50 can be replaced withanother anchoring system (not shown) including, but not limited to, abag or other container tied or secured to the apertures 46, the D-rings64, or with straps to the support device 10. The bag can be filled withrocks, dirt, etc., to anchor the support device 10 in a desiredposition. Once the boat operator wishes to move the support device 10,the fill material can be removed from the bag or the rope or strap canbe disengaged.

[0043] In addition, the first edge material 40 and the second edgematerial 42 have a plurality of aligned apertures or slots 52 spacedalong the second side edges 24, 34 of the first support bladder 20 andthe second support bladder 30, respectively, for receiving a strap 54.In the preferred embodiment, the support device 10 includes twoadjusting straps 54 with adjustable lengths. The adjustable straps 54maintain the first support bladder 20 and the second support bladder 30at a desired various spacing from each other with the front edge 26 ofthe first support bladder contacting the front edge 36 the secondsupport bladder 30 when the support device 10 is deployed and inflated.

[0044] The support device 10 of the present invention includes a swivel56 between the first support bladder 20 and the second support bladderformed in the first edge material 40 and the second edge material 42adjacent the front edges 26, 36 to secure the first support bladder 20to the second support bladder 30. Preferably, the swivel comprises anaperture reinforced by a grommet and a pin mechanism to maintain thefirst support bladder 20 to the second support bladder 30.

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the adjusting strap 54 can be any typeof strap which is capable of adjusting the spacing between the firstsupport bladder 20 and the second support bladder 30. For instance, theadjustable strap 54 can include a buckle mechanism, VELCRO, etc., whichallows lengthening or reducing the distance between the first supportbladder 20 and the second support bladder 30. It should be noted,however, that the strap could be non-adjusting and have only a fixedlength, or even replaced with one or more inflatable tubes or supports.

[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 5-12, the support device 10 includes thefirst support bladder 20 and the second support bladder 30 being joinedtogether to form one support bladder and sized and shaped for receivinga typical size personal watercraft and supporting the entire personalwatercraft on the land or water. It should be noted that, however, thesupport device 10 can be any length or width.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 13, in addition to being connected by aswivel 56, the first support bladder 20 and the second support bladder30 can be joined together by welding or stitching. Joining the firstsupport bladder 20 and the second support bladder 30 by the swivel 56 orby welding or stitching, provides a substantially V-shape and allowingthe width between the rear edges 28, 38 to be adjusted depending on thesize of the watercraft 12 and/or the desires of the user.

[0048] Once again, the straps 54 are adjustable maintaining the properand desired spacing. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 13, thesupport device 10 can include a permanent or removable floor 60 securedto the support bladder by stitching, welding, or other means. Even withthe floor 60, the proper and desired spacing can be maintained bychoosing the appropriate width floor 60.

[0049] In this embodiment of the present invention, only the rear edges28, 38 of the first support bladder 20 and the second support bladder 30are tapered. Once again, the tapering of the rear edges 28, 38 allowseasier entry and removal of a personal ski watercraft from the supportdevice.

[0050] The first support bladder 20 and the second support bladder 30 ofthe support device 10 of all embodiments of the present invention can beinflated with air or other gases through known means including automaticand manual pumps. The gas can be stored in a portable tank or permanenttank which are storable on the watercraft 12 or on the land 14 arewithin the scope of the present invention.

[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the first support bladder 20 andthe second support bladder 30 of the support device 10 of the presentinvention are folded into a substantially spiral configuration to fitwithin a smaller space. The first support bladder 20 and the secondsupport bladder 30 can be configured in a round spiral wound or a flatspiral wound. Winding the first support bladder 20 and the secondsupport bladder 30 in a flat spiral wound allows the support device 10to have a lower profile and fit within a smaller container or space.

[0052] It should be noted that the first support bladder 20 and thesecond support bladder 30 has been described and illustrated herein asbeing wound in a substantially spiral configuration. It is within thescope of the present invention, however, to store the first supportbladder 20 and the second support bladder 30 in any configurationincluding, but not limited to, a substantially overlaying, serpentinemanner or folded.

[0053] Handles 62 can be mounted on the support device 10 to allow foreasier maneuverability of the support device on the land 14, water 16,ice, snow, etc. D-rings 64 can also be provided to allow any watercraft12 or gear upon the support device 12 to be tied down with straps or thelike, or a cover (not shown) to be secured. In addition, fill valves 76allow for easy inflation of the first support bladder 20 and the secondsupport bladder 30.

[0054] The operation of the support device 10 of the present inventionwill now be described. It will be understood by those skilled in the artthat the operation of the support device 10 described herein is only onemanner of operation and other manners of operation are within the scopeof the present invention.

[0055] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-13, as the watercraft 12 sits offshore,the user inflates the support device 10 at a desired location such aswith at least a portion of the support device 10 resting in the water 16and the remaining portion positioned on the land 14, the entire supportdevice resting on land 14, and or the support device 10 being upon thewater 16, ice, snow, etc. Preferably, the first support bladder 20 andthe second support bladder 30 are tapered to allow easy placement andremoval of the watercraft 12 upon and from the support device 10. Thewatercraft 12 can then be maneuvered upon the support device 10 for safeand effective docking of the watercraft 12, storage of watercraft 12 onland, water, or both, or for towing the watercraft 12.

[0056] As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13, the first support bladder 20and the second support bladder 30 can have a pitched nose 78. Bypitching the nose 78 in a manner as illustrated and described, thesupport device 10 better receives the watercraft 12 and inhibits thewatercraft 12 from traveling off the front of the support device 10. Inaddition, the pitched nose 78 allows for easier towing of the watercraft12 on the land and on the water.

[0057] As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the support device 10 of thepresent invention includes a sand cleat pocket 72 and a sand cleat 74insertable into the sand cleat pocket 72. When inserted into the sandcleat pocket 72, the sand cleat 74 inhibits movement of the supportdevice 10 relative to the land when the user attempts to load thewatercraft 12 onto the support device 10. The sand cleat 74 digs intothe ground as the watercraft 12 begins and completes the loadingprocess.

[0058] The support device 10 of the present invention provides atemporary docking system for the watercraft, a tow vehicle for towingwatercraft 12 on the land 14, water 16, ice, snow, etc., and/or arescue/transport device. The support device 10 is lightweight, evenafter deployment, and can be easily deflated and stored upon thewatercraft 12 after the watercraft 12 has been has reentered the water16. In fact, the support device 10 is flexible, durable, portable,adaptable, lightweight, and compact.

[0059] The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrativepreferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained inthe drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications andalternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been soshown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by thoseskilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may bemade therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limitedonly to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, theinvention as disclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absenceof the specific elements which are disclosed herein.

What is claimed is: No land or water
 1. An inflatable watercraft supportdevice for supporting a watercraft, the support device comprising: afirst support bladder having a first end and a second end; a secondsupport bladder having a first end and a second end; and connectingmeans for connecting the first end of the first support bladder to thefirst end of the second support bladder.
 2. The support device of claim1 wherein the first end of the first support bladder and the first endof the second support bladder are angled in a generally upward directionrelative to the second end of the first support bladder and the secondend of the second support bladder.
 3. The support device of claim 1wherein the second end of the first support bladder and the second endof the second support bladder are sloped in a generally downwarddirection.
 4. The support device of claim 1 wherein the first supportbladder and the second support bladder tapers downward from the firstend to the second end.
 5. The support device of claim 1 wherein theconnecting means is a swivel device, the swivel device having anaperture formed in the first support bladder and the second supportbladder and a pin mechanism insertable into the aperture.
 6. The supportdevice of claim 1 wherein the connecting means is a fixed securementdevice selected from the group consisting of welding and threads.
 7. Thesupport device of claim 1 wherein the first support bladder and thesecond support bladder are fluidly connected to each other.
 8. Thesupport device of claim 1 and further comprising: adjusting meansbetween the first support bladder and the second support bladder foradjusting and releasably maintaining the spacing between the second endof the first support bladder and the second end of the second supportbladder.
 9. The support device of claim 8 wherein the adjusting means isat least one adjustable strap extending between the first supportbladder and the second support bladder.
 10. The support device of claim1, and further comprising: a floor between the first support bladder andthe second support bladder.
 11. The support device of claim 10, andfurther comprising: lacing between the floor and the first supportbladder and the second support bladder.
 12. The support device of claim1, and further comprising: at least one stake-down aperture along thefirst support bladder.
 13. The support device of claim 12, and furthercomprising: at least one stake-down aperture along the second supportbladder.
 14. The support device of claim 1, and further comprising: atleast one handle on the first support device.
 15. The support device ofclaim 14, and further comprising: at least one handle on the secondsupport device.
 16. The support device of claim 1, and furthercomprising: a first fill valve in the first support bladder; and asecond fill valve in the second bladder.
 17. The support device of claim1, and further comprising: first inhibiting means associated with thefirst support bladder for maintaining the position of the first supportbladder when positioned upon land, ice, or snow.
 18. The support deviceof claim 17, and further comprising: second inhibiting means associatedwith the second support bladder for maintaining the position of thesecond support bladder when positioned upon the land, ice, or snow. 19.An apparatus for docking and towing a watercraft, the apparatuscomprising: a first bladder having a first end and a second end; asecond bladder having a first end and a second end; connecting means forconnecting the first end of the first bladder to the first end of thesecond bladder; and sheet material connected between the first bladderand the second bladder; wherein the first bladder and the second bladderhave a substantially V-shaped configuration.
 20. The apparatus of claim19 wherein the sheet material has a substantially triangularconfiguration.
 21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the sheet materialis secured between the first bladder and the second bladder by lacing.22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the first end of the first bladderand the first end of the second bladder are angled in a generally upwarddirection relative to the second end of the first bladder and the secondend of the second bladder.
 23. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein thesecond end of the first bladder and the second end of the second bladderare sloped in a generally downward direction.
 24. The apparatus of claim19 wherein the connecting means is a fixed securement device selectedfrom the group consisting of welding and threads.
 25. The apparatus ofclaim 19, and further comprising: at least one stake-down aperture alongthe first bladder.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25, and furthercomprising: at least one stake-down aperture along the second bladder.27. The apparatus of claim 19, and further comprising: at least onehandle on the first bladder.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27, and furthercomprising: at least one handle on the second bladder.
 29. The apparatusof claim 19, and further comprising: a first fill valve in the firstbladder; and a second fill valve in the second bladder.
 30. Theapparatus of claim 19, and further comprising: first inhibiting meansassociated with the first bladder for maintaining the position of thefirst bladder when positioned upon land, snow, or ice.
 31. The apparatusof claim 30, and further comprising: second inhibiting means associatedwith the second bladder for maintaining the position of the secondbladder when positioned upon land, snow or ice.
 32. A method for dockingand towing a watercraft, the method comprising: providing a firstsupport bladder and a second support bladder; connecting the firstsupport bladder to the second support bladder creating a support device;positioning the support device; and maneuvering the watercraft onto thesupport device.
 33. The method of claim 32, and further comprising:adjusting the spacing between the first support bladder and the secondsupport bladder.
 34. The method of claim 32, and further comprising:angling an end of the support device in a generally upward direction.35. The method of claim 32, and further comprising: sloping an end ofsupport device in a generally downward direction.
 36. The method ofclaim 32, and further comprising: securing a floor between the firstsupport bladder and the second support bladder.
 37. The method of claim32, and further comprising: securing the support device to land, snow,or ice.
 38. The method of claim 32, and further comprising: pulling thesupport device along water or ice.
 39. The method of claim 32, andfurther comprising: inhibiting movement of the support device whenpositioned upon land, snow, or ice.